IWF 2022 earns high marks

It was worth the wait. Cancelled in 2020 by the pandemic, the International Woodworking Fair returned in all its glory Aug. 23-26 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. The industry trade show featured 1.2 million sq. ft. of exhibit space filled with over 900 exhibitors presenting machinery, services and supplies in more than 500 product categories.

In post-show interviews with Woodshop News, exhibitors and attendees were decidedly pleased with the show and rather impressed by the entire production.

“It was great being back after Covid,” says Chris Davis, owner of WWBeds Custom Furniture in Little Rock, Ark. “I went there with the plan to purchase a spray booth. I knew nothing about them and really wanted to see them firsthand and see what would work best for my situation. I did end up ordering one once I got back.

“While there, I normally try to attend two to three classes each time. I always have a theme in selecting classes - marketing, finishing, management. This time my theme was family business and succession planning. I did attend my first full day symposium this year, on lean manufacturing, and really enjoyed it.”

Tim Crowe, president of Crowe’s Cabinets in Poland, Ohio, is another regular visitor.

“The show was well attended by vendors and buyers. We were there shopping for major equipment for our expansion project in the works. We did not purchase at the show, but we spent a lot of time with the equipment companies comparing options and gaining useful information and perspective on what’s best for us,” says Crowe.

Bruce Hemmerich, a cabinetmaker and first-time attendee from Burlington, Ky, found everything he was looking for and then some.

“I’m a one-man shop but planning to add two assistants,” he says. “I found everything on my list: Panel Buddies, hand and machine-enabled sanders, robotics, composite pneumatic nailers, automatic dust collection gates. I wasn’t considering CNC but now its on my list to learn more. I looked at kitchen panel door machinery for a small shop, including coping machines, and I will buy from the vendors I met when ready to buy. Attending for me was to help plan shop growth,” says Hemmerich.

Josh Renner of Cameron Automation, a division of James L Taylor Mfg. , that won a Challengers Award for the Rack & Stack Flooring Nester, says the show was a great event for them.

“Coming off a no-show 2020, we were eager to see what the turnout was, especially with Covid still lingering around. The president of our company had an excellent plan regarding which equipment to bring that helps our customers see where they can add value to their businesses,” says Renner.

“For me, one of the best parts about the show, for our company, is that we send everyone. From sales, engineering, manufacturing, every aspect of our company gets one-on-one contact with our customers to hear ideas and challenges they face. Overall, customer turnout was great, and our sales team ended up with plenty of projects to dig into and keep us plenty busy.”

Brandon Koetter, president of Northtech Machine, which also won a Challengers Award for the iDovetail, says the show continues to improve.

“This was the best show we have participated in since being part of Northtech,” he says. “I personally was optimistically hopeful on what the makeup of the crowds would be and was quite pleased after the show. There has been little wasted effort with chasing false leads. Many customers shared stories of record years and staffing issues which meant if they were at the show, they were there to buy.”

First-time exhibitor D.J. Bell of Mullet Tools was astounded by the abundance of automation featured at the show. “I’ve been in several factories where they’re using CNCs but I think that’s the first thing that kind of hits you in the face at the show,” he says.

Will Hartley, national sales manager for Timber Wolf Forest products, exhibited for his second time.

“We had a great show and have already received additional business from our participation,” says Hartley. “I saw a lot of cabinet industry professionals at this show and it looks like the industry is on a good path of growth.”

IWF offers a multi-track education program, student design competition and several networking opportunities. Industry organizations also hold events.

For example, the Cabinet Makers Association hosted “Survival of the Fittest, a presentation by Chris Valenti of CK Valenti Designs in Chandler, Ariz. He spoke about how to stay diversified in a changing market, deal with employee pay rates, and shared tips that have helped his business succeed.

“Overall, the feedback was good,” says Valenti. “I think it’s always a good sign when time is up and nobody’s leaving, that’s a good indicator you captivated the audience. I think they liked the raw data. I gave them real numbers and real instances instead of a textbook presentation.”

The next IWF is scheduled for Aug. 20–23, 2024, in Atlanta. 

This article was originally published in the November 2022 issue.